Dear Community:

Brothers and sisters, the Word of God this Sunday invites us to live wisely, remaining attentive and prepared for our encounter with the Lord. In today's Gospel, Jesus presents the parable of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom to arrive: five were wise and five were foolish. Through this teaching, He reminds us that faith cannot be lived superficially or postponed until later; we must always keep the lamp of our hearts burning.

The wise virgins brought enough oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones failed to make the necessary preparations. This oil represents our faith, prayer, love, hope, and good works that nourish our Christian lives. It is not enough to simply say that we believe in God; we are called to demonstrate our faith every day through our attitudes, our decisions, and the way we treat others.

We, too, live in expectation of the Lord's coming, although the worries, responsibilities, and distractions of daily life often cause us to forget what is truly important. Jesus invites us to remain watchful, not with fear, but with hearts filled with trust and hope. Being prepared means living each day in friendship with God, reconciled with our brothers and sisters, and willing to serve those most in need with generosity.

As we celebrate this Eucharist, let us ask the Lord for the grace to be wise Christians, with our lamps burning brightly and filled with the oil of His love. May we never lack the faith to continue our journey, the hope to overcome difficulties, or the charity to share with others. And when the Lord comes to meet us, may He find us ready, living our Christian vocation with joy and faithfulness. Let us keep the lamp of our faith burning!

Rev. Julio Fernández